The Meteors started twenty years ago as an antidote to the soft rockabilly that was popular at that time and they have now evolved into their own personal brand of music – PSYCHOBILLY. (Look it up in the Encyclopedia of Rock) – and The Meteors are Kings of it !

Their audience has steadily expanded, as has their acknowledged influece on scores of other bands, and includes not just psychobillies, but everybody from rockabillies and punks, to bikers, skinheads and most alternatives. They are the original creators of Psychobilly Music, and although they have spawned hundreds of imitations, The Meteors are proud to be the only pure psychobilly band ever. Their songs inspiration comes from many sources and interests; Horror, Perversion, Rock ‘n’ Roll, B-Movie sci-fi themes. They list their hobbies as motorbikes, rock’n’roll, and burying the living, and their heroes as Michael Myers and Charles Manson.

They have now made dozens of official albums, (a complete discography is enclosed) and countless singles, not to mention dozens of compilations and re-issues. Many were made in their own commercial recording studio, “In Heaven”,which I set in a westcountry church. Lead-man Paul Fenech has also released three solo albums. World-wide sales have increased steadily over the years, and they have toured almost continuously to support these releases.

They have even been seen on the big screen more than once, most recently as they played “The Bitch Boys” in the British romantic comedy “Don’t Go Breaking My Heart” alongside ER hunk Anthony Edwards and Jenny Seagrove. (Who would have evr put Elton John and The Meteors on the same CD?) They have also contributed tracks to various horror video releases.

Their live show is wild and addictive, (they have done it over thousands of times) and has been seen in just about every country in the world, including Japan, Israel and several successful tours of America, and every major city in Europe and Scandinavia. Everybody is welcome at a Meteors show, and the band make a point that The Meteors Live is a political or religious free zone. People should come to enjoy the music, and to wreck if they are brave enough! It’s wild and sweaty, but nobody gets hurt.

They are supported by a flourishing fan club, with thousands of members worldwide, each of who get free regular letters about releases, tours, band news and new merchandise, and there are several Internet web sites devoted to them. Their own site is worth a visit at: www.kingsofpsychobilly.net (They have been voted Number One Band, and Number One Song, continuously for the last year and a half on The Psychobilly Homepage) and they receive daily e-mail from fans from every corner of the earth.

Although there have been line-up changes over the years, (Paul Fenech being the only original member) the search for the perfect combination is now over, as the current line-up has been the longest lasting musical partnership, far outlasting and proving much more fruitful than any of the previous combinations.

The Meteors are a known name, experienced, professional working band, with an established audience. Their most recent release is “The Meteors Versus The World”
What is the best gig The Meteors have ever done and who else was on the line-up?
S B – The next one !
P F – They’re all brilliant for different reasons, but I have to agree with my simian friend.
If you could see any band play live, either of the past or present who would it be?
S B & P F & W H – US!
What is the favourite song (and what band is it by) of each member of the band?
P P F – Favourite Meteors song at the moment is “Straight To Hell” . Favourite other song is “Lil’ Red Riding Hood ” and “Paint it Black”
S B – The Pain Game, by The Meteors
If you could be any age again, what would it be and why?
P P F – I like it now
S B – I ain’t got a fuckin’ clue!
‘Cartoonz’ are number 2 in the British charts, with somthing they call ‘Roackabilly/techno’, what do you think?
P F – I don’t think about pop music at all.
S B – The biggest load of shit I’ve ever come across
Plans, gigs and releases planned for 1999.

20th Anniversary double album, another solo album, and another album with the Surfing Dead probably. Livewise, we are gigging almost all the time, and we will let you know all dates as they are confirmed, here’s what we have so far:

The new Raw Deal album, “Southern Boys ” will be out early next month on Raucous Records for CD, and Crazy Love Records for Vinyl. Raucous have also just released”The Peel Sessions 1983 -1985″ which will be available from the end of this month.
Any final comments?
As always, our number one rule:
We play our music for people that like it. It’s not about a haircut or fashion, or howmany times you’ve been before. If you like The Meteors, thanks a lot. If you don’t … Get Fucked.

Please note that the opinions expressed by band members does not necessarily reflect the views of this website. Punk & Oi in the UK Limited are in no way liable for comments made by interviewees.